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See our Office Hours PageBladder infection vs. Kidney infection: What is the difference?
Bladder infection vs. kidney infection: What is the difference?
Urinary tract infections (UTI) can occur in any part of the male and female urinary tract. See below for illustrations of the urinary system
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common presenting infection problem for healthcare services. They can occur in any part of the male and female urinary tract and can be broken into two regions, upper and lower.
Infections in these different areas are not the same and have different treatments and outcomes.
See below for illustrations of the urinary system
The upper urinary tract involves essentially everything above the bladder. This includes the ureters and kidneys.
The lower urinary tract includes the bladder, urethra and prostate.
One of the most common misnomers that I hear is when a patient complains that they have a “kidney” infection. Most of the time that is not true. A kidney infection is generally a special problem called pyelonephritis. This is a serious condition and requires special workup and treatment. I’ll get to that in a bit. Most people that present with urinary infections have a bladder infection (cystitis). This is a fairly common disorder in which 85% are female.
Cystitis (bladder infection) is a condition of the urination system caused by either bacteria or yeast.
Symptoms include:
- Dysuria (pain or burning on urination)
- Urinary urgency and frequency
- A sensation of bladder fullness or lower abdominal discomfort
- Suprapubic tenderness
- Bloody urine
Symptoms of an upper tract infection (pyelonephritis) include the above plus:
- Flank pain
- Fevers
- Chills
- Malaise (feeling of not having enough energy to do your usual activities)
Escherichia coli causes the majority of uncomplicated cystitis cases. Among the pathogens responsible for the remainder are Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumonia , or Enterococcus faecalis.
Other causes of dysuria may be yeast infections, vaginitis, cervicitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Diagnosis is usually made by history as well as a urinalysis and culture.
Treatment and prevention: Increased fluid intake and frequent urination including urination after sexual intercourse can help prevent UTIs. Antibiotics are usually required for cure.
Common meds include: nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and fosfomycin. Fluoroquinolones (Cipro) are usually reserved for resistant or complicated cystitis.
Upper tract infections may require hospitalization and IV abx.
UTIs in males are more rare and usually do not occur without some complicating factor. All UTIs in males need further evaluation.
